Method of forming cast hollow articles



July 3, 1951 L. JOHNSTON METHOD OF FORMING CAST HOLLOW ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 i mow. N M V mil July 3, 1951 L. L. JOHNSTON METHOD OF FORMING CAST HOLLOW ARTICLES Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m6 We wow t .3 5w

INVENTOR AL LJOHNSTON y 3, 1951 L. JOHNSTON 2,559,161

METHOD OF FORMING CAST HOLLOW ARTICLES Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.4.

INVENTOR OYAL L..JOHNSTON 12 2 A? A M- MWJI 1 W h 6 4 T S 1", m R N 9 m i S N "a r WJ. 2.. a m 4 e L m m 4 L L C I T R A w N m 0 0 w H T N S H m o G J N L m w L F. F O D O H T M wm wmmn n n n nmmi mSH n d U5 Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 July 3, 1951 Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF FORMING CAST HOLLOW ARTICLES Loyal L. Johnston, Zelienople, Pa., assignor to Herman Pneumatic Machine Company, PlttS- burgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application February 18, 1946, Serial No. 648,318. Divided and this application July 29, 1948, Serial No. 41,421

a hollow mold out of compactable mold forming material and the centrifugal casting of the hollow article in the mold. This application is a division of my Patent No. 2,449,900.

My method is a departure from methodsof forming cast hollow articles heretofore employed and enables greatly increased production and economy. The invention will be described for purposes of explanation .and illustration as practiced in the centrifugal casting of pipe, such, for

example, as soil pipe, andin .the formation of i molds for the. centrifugal casting of such pipe. It is to be understood, however, that the invention has other uses.

I provide amethod of. forming cast hollow articles whereby unprecedentedly rapid and economical-manufacture. of such articles: is made possible. I preferablyxemploy a flask whichis selectively positionablev in. generallyverticalmand in generally horizontal position. Desirably the flask is positioned vertically While mold forming material is introduced into it, whereupon it is shifted to horizontal position. The flask is notated and mold formingmaterial therein iscompacted and shaped. :I prefer to operate onxthe mold forming material in the flask successively by means removing'a portionof the mold forming material in the flask and providing an opening therein and means. compacting and shapingv the remaining mold forming material inthe flask. The means for removing a portion oft-the mold forming material and providing an :opening in such material may, for example, comprise a screw conveyor. The-meansfor compacting and shaping the mold forming material. in the flask may comprise a mandrel which is desirably mounted for rotation so that when it is: acting on the mold forming material in the flask it will rotate due to frictional engagement therewith. While the mandrel maybe driven in its rotary movement it is preferably not driven but rather caused to rotate 'by frictional engagement with the moldforming material.

The flask is preferably mounted in a support which is movablebetween a position in which the flask is generally vertical and a position in which the flask is generally horizontal. 'Desirablythe means for rotatingcthe flaskis .continuouslyoperable for-all'positions of the flask, i. e., when the flask is in generally vertical .position,: when it is in, generally (llOIiZOl'J-iifiLxPOSitlOll :and when it is 2 in any intermediate position. Desirably rotation of the flask is continuous through the period duringwhich it is moved from generally vertical position to generally horizontal position.

The means for removing a portion ofthe mold forming material in the flask to provide an opening therein and the means for compactingand shaping mold forming material in the flask are preferably mounted so that each thereof may, as desired, be brought intoposition coaxial with the flask and'then advanced thereinto. For example, such means may be mounted on a carriage operable on a guideway substantillyrparallel to the axis of the flask when the flask is in generally horizontal position. Such means may be carried .by a carrier movable relatively to the carriage transverselyof the direction of movement of the carriage.

Means are provided for delivering mold forming material into the flask when the flask is in generally vertical position. Means are also provided for stripping the casting from the flask and loosening and removing mold formingmaterial therefrom.

Novel operating mechanism is provided for the various portions of the apparatus above referred to-whereby exceptionally rapid, accurate and economical operation is obtained.

In practicing my method of forming a cast hollow article I preferably compact finely divided mold forming material'to form a hollow open- "ended mold, rotate the mold, introduce molten material into the rotating mold throughone end thereof to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article, turn the mold in place to generally' right position and discharge the article from the .mold through the opposite andlower end thereof.

:the mold, introduce molten material into the rotating mold through one end thereofto form-by centrifugal casting a hollow article and, with the .flask disposed in generally upright position with 50.

the end uppermost which was uppermost when thetmold forming material was introduced down- JMore speciflcally'l prefer to form a cast hollow :article by introducing mold'formingmaterial downwardly into an elongated open-ended flask when the flask is disposed in generally upright position, compact the mold forming material within the flask to form a hollow mold, dispose the flask in generally horizontal position, rotate the flask, introduce molten material into the mold in the rotating flask through one end of the flask to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article, dispose the flask in generally upright position with the end uppermost which was uppermost when the mold forming material was introduced downwardly thereint'o and withthe flask so disposed discharge the article from theflask through the lowermost end thereof.

I further provide a methodof forming a cast hollow article comprising introducing mold'forming material into an elongated open-ended flask, compacting the mold forming material within the flask to form a hollow mold, maintaining the mold forming material in the flask by pressing 'thereagainst generally axially of the flask and rubbing thereagainst at at least one end of the flask, rotating the flask and introducing molten material into the flask to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article. Desirably the mold forming material is introduced downwardly into the flask when the flask is disposed in generally upright position and the article is discharged from the flask through the lowermost end thereof with the flask disposed in generally upright position with the end uppermost which 'was uppermost when the mold forming material was introduced downwardly thereinto.

' Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the invention, in which 'Figure l is an elevational view, partly in central vertical cross section, of centrifugal casting I apparatus; 7

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown "in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 as viewed from the right hand end thereof, but to enlarged scale; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 looking from the opposite end;

Figure 5 is an end view of the flask and associated mechanism as viewed from the right hand end thereof with reference to Figure 1, but to enlarged scale and partly in vertical transverse cross section;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view to enlarged scale of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1 showing a section of pipe as cast in the mold;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of centrifugal casting apparatus; and

Figure 8-is a vertical transverse cross sectional view taken on the line VIIIVIII of Figure '7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is provided a base or frame 2 having parallel spaced upward projections 3 carrying coaxial bearings Q and 5. Journaled in the bearing lls a trunnion E. Keyed to the trunnion 6 is an arm 5 whose outer end is pivoted at 8 to a piston rod 9 connected with a piston in a cylinder ifi'pivotally mounted at' II in brackets 12.

The piston in the cylinder Ill is operated by any suitable fluid under pressure. Movement of the piston in the cylinder swings the arm I about 4 the axis of the trunnion 6, and since the arm is keyed to the trunnion this results in turning of the trunnion 6 in the bearing 4.

The bearing 5 carries a bearing sleeve l3 which is longer than the bearing, extending inwardly relatively thereto, or toward the bearing 6. Journaled in the sleeve i3 is a shaft 14 connected through a gear reducer l5 and a coupling [6 to an electric motor l? which drives the shaft I l. Another shaft l la coaxial with the shaft is but projecting from the opposite end of the motor I! and driven by the motor may drive another unit similar to that shown.

The trunnion 6 extends inwardly from the bearing ii. Mounted upon the inward extension of --the trunnion t and the portion of the sleeve 13 which projects inwardly from the bearing 5 are legs I8 of a support as in which is rotatably mounted a flask it. The inward projection of the trunnion is keyed to one of the legs l8. Thus operation of the piston in the cylinder It! causes the support as to turn between a position in which the flask 28 is generally horizontal, as shown in solid lines in Figure l, and a position in which the flask is generally vertical, as shown in chain lines in Figure 1. When the support I9 is in the solid line. position its left hand end seats upon a portion of the frame 2. When the support is in the chain line'position its lower end seats upon a base 2 I.

Keyed to the inner end of the shaft it is a bevel pinion 22. Journaled in downward extensions 23 of the support 15 is a shaft 24 whose axis is parallel to the axis of the flask and to one end of which is keyed a bevel pinion .25 meshing with the bevel pinion 22. Also keyed to the shaft 2 2 is a pulley 26. Mounted upon the flask 2i! is a pulley 2? which is coplanar with the pulley 2G. V-belts 28 extend about the pulleys and '1'! so that when the shaft is turns the flask 23 is rotated. Since the drive for the shaft 253 is coaxial with the trunnion 6 and the bearing sleeve is the shaft 24 may be driven in any angular position of the support i9 and, indeed, may be driven during turning of the support 49 between its re spective positions. Consequently, it is possible to rotate the flask 26 at all times, when it is in the vertical position, when it is in the horizontal position and when it is in any intermediate position.

The flask 20 is mounted for rotation in bearings 29 in the support it and has radial fins 33 for the dissipation of heat. The flask is substantially cylindrical externally but is tapered internally from relatively small diameter at its left hand or upper end to relatively large diameter at its right hand or lower end, viewing the solid line and chain line showings of Figure l. This is to facilltate stripping of the pipe cast in the mold formed in the flask and to facilitate removal of the used mold forming material (e. g. sand) from the flask.

Mounted above the flask isan overhead track'- way 3| along which are adapted to roll trucks 32 and 33. A longitudinally extending bar 3 is cornnected with both of'the trucks 32 and 33 so that the trucks are always spaced the same distance apart and move in unison. The bar 3% is connected at 35 with a piston rod 36 of a piston operating in a cylinder 31'. The truck 32 carries a receptacle 38 for receiving mold forming materia from a container or bin 39. The bin 39 has at: opening 40 in its bottom. Connected with the re ceptacle 38 is a horizontally extending closure ,plate 4| whose function is to close the opening llllat allrtimes except when'the receptacle 38 is positioned directly below it, at which time mold forming material is delivered through the opening 40 into the receptacle 38. The truck 33 carries a vertical cylinder 42 within which operates a piston having a piston rod to which is connected at its lower end a device 43 for stripping the cast pipe from the mold and for assisting in discharging the used mold forming material from the flask.

When the piston in the cylinder 31 is at the left hand end of it stroke, viewing Figure 1, and as the parts are shown in that figure, the receptacle 38 is directly above the flask when the flask is in its upright position. The receptacle has pivoted closure means 44 of clam shell type at its lower end which are operable to permit discharge from the receptacle by gravity of the mold forming material therein which has been received from the bin 39. When the piston in the cylinder 31 is at the right hand end of its stroke the receptacle 38 is positioned directly beneath the opening 40 and the stripper 43 is positioned coaxially with the flask when the latter is in its vertical posi tion.

The frame 2 has a generally horizontal extension 45 which carries a guideway 46 which is parallel with the axis of the flask 20 when the flask is in its generally horizontal position as shown in solid lines in Figure 1. Mounted for travel along the guideway 46 is a carriage 41. Fixedly mounted on the guideway and extending longi-- tudinally thereof is a downwardly facing rack 48. Mounted on the carriage 41 is an electric motor 49 having a shaft 56 to which is keyed a pinion 5| meshing with the rack 48. Travel of the carriage 47 along the guideway is effected by operation of the motor 49 which turns the pinion 5|. Since the pinion 5| meshes with the stationary rack 48 it causes the carriage 41 to move along the guideway. The motor 49 may have any suit able control mechanism; limit switches 5|a,

shown purely diagrammatically in Figure 1 may be provided for stopping the motor to prevent overtravel of the carriage 41 in its respective directions of movement.

Mounted upon the carriage 41 for movement relatively thereto transversely of the direction of movement of the carriage along the guideway isv a carrier 52. The carrier 52 has a dovetail connection 53 with the carriage 4'! which permits movement of the carrier relatively to the carriage in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the plane of the paper viewing Figure 1. The carriage 41 has fastened thereto a bracket 54 to which is connected a cylinder 55 in which operates a piston having a piston rod 56 connected at 51 with a bracket 58 attached to the carrier Thus movement of the piston in the cylinder 55 causes travel of the carrier 52 relatively to the carriage 41.

Mounted on the carrier 52 are two generally parallel devices for operating upon mold forming material in the flask 20. These devices are a device 59 for removing a portion of the mold forming material in the flask and providing an opening therein and a device 6|] for compacting and shaping the mold forming material in the flask. The device 59 comprises a tube 6| in which operates a screw conveyor 62. The screw conveyor 62 is rotated by a shaft 63 carrying pulley 64. Mounted on the carrier 52 is an electric motor 65 whose shaft 66 carries a pulley 61; V-belts 68 are trained about the pulleys 64' and" 6'! and provide a drive for the shaft 63 and consequently the screw conveyor 62. The conveyor turns in a direction to move mold forming material from left to right, viewing Figure 2, an opening 69 being provided in the tube 6| for passage of mold forming material into the tube and an opening 69a being provided in the tube for discharge of mold forming material therefrom. A sweep 69b roughly shapes the lenlarged end of the mold where the bell of the pipe is to be cast, the mold forming material intercepted by the sweep entering the tube 6| through the opening 69. Bracing webs 69c aid in supporting the tube 6|, compensating for the weakening effect of the openings 69 and 69a. The tube BI is open at its unsupported or left hand end, viewing Figure 2.

The device 6|! is a mandrel which is rotatably carried upon a bearing shaft 10. While the mandrel may be driven it is preferably mounted for rotation through frictional engagement with the mold being formed. The devices 59 and are parallel to each other and parallel to the guideway 46, thereby being adapted upon movement of the carriage 41 along the guideway to enter the flask 20.

Mounted for rectilinear movement upon the frame 2 is a slide carrying an upstanding guide 12 having therein a guide opening 13. The slide 1| is connected at 14 with a piston rod 15 connected with a piston in a cylinder 76 mounted on the frame. The opening 13- is adapted to be aligned with the mandrel 60, the mandrel shaft 10 having a reduced extremity H at its forward end adapted when the mandrel has been inserted into the flask to enter the opening 13 whereby the free end of the mandrel is supported and guided. The slide H is adapted to be moved to position the guide I2 in a. laterally offset out-of-the-way position when material (e. g., molten metal) to be cast is introduced into the mold. Such movement of the slide is effected by movement of the piston in the cylinder 16 downwardly viewing Figure 2.

The frame carries brackets 18 having bearings 19 at their outer ends, and a shaft 80 is journaled for rotation in the bearings. Mounted in the frame is a cylinder 8| containing a piston with which is connected a piston rod 82.

The piston rod 82 is connected by a pin 83 with an arm 84 fixed to the shaft 80. Hence movement of the piston and the cylinder 8| causes turning of the shaft 66 through a small angle. The pin connection 83 between the piston rod 82 and the arm 84 may provide for some lost motion to allow for the change in elevation of the lower end of the arm 84 during operation. Fixed to the shaft 86 are two upwardly projecting arms 85 and 86. Each of these arms has in its upper extremity a generally horizontally arranged bolt 81 held in adjustably fixed position by nuts 88.

When the piston in the cylinder 8| is at the right hand end of its stroke, viewing Figure 4, the upper extremities of arms 85 and 86 are in their extreme outward (i. e., left hand) positions. The nuts 88 are adjusted so that when the arms-85 and 86 are in their extreme outward positions, as shown in Figure 4, the noses of the bolts are slightly spaced from the slide H and the carrier 52, respectively, when the carriage 41' and the carrier 52 are in the chain line position of Figure 2 and the slide and the carrier are positioned (by the pistons in the respective cylinders l6 and 55 being at the extreme upper ends of their strokes, viewing Figure 2) so that the guide opening 13 and the mandrel- 60 are coaxial with the flask when the flask is in its horizontal position. The bolt carried by the arm 86 can engage the carrier 52 only when the carriage 4! is in its advanced position, i. e., the chain line position of Figure 2. But the carrier 52 is positioned so that the mandrel 6t is coaxial with the flask 20 when the piston in the cylinder is at the extreme upper end of its stroke, viewing Figure 2, the flask then being in its horizontal or solid line position.

The function of the shaft 86 and its associated mechanism is to position the carrier 52 and the slide H in the downward direction, viewing Figure 2, in such manner that the mandrel 6G and the guide opening 13 remain coaxial with each other, but to move the mandrel to a position somewhat eccentric to the flask 23 so that the mandrel will compact and shape the mold forming material in the flask to form a cylindrical mold of desired diameter. During the compacting and shaping action the mandrel will turn due to its frictional contact with the mold being formed. The extent of the movement given the slide H and the carrier 52 by turning of the shaft 80 depends upon the distance which the piston in the cylinder at moves. This distance may be determined by the operator through a gauge connected with the piston rod, or a stop 84a may be provided cooperating with the arm 84, the stop being adjustable to limit turning movement of the arm 84 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 4, to the extent necessary to cause the desired amplitude of movement of the mandrel and guide eccentrically of the flask.

1 The mandrel is of somewhat smaller diameter than the tube 61. When the tube 6! is inserted into the flask it removes a portion of the mold forming material therein and provides an opening axially of the flask. When the piston in the cylinder 55 is in its extreme lower position, viewing Figure 2, the tube Si is disposed axially of the flask. After the conveyor has removed a portion of the mold forming material in the flask and provided an opening therein the mandrel is moved axially into the opening, and after the mandrel is in place with the shaft extremity 11 within the guide opening 13 it is moved eccentrically of the flask to the extent necessary to produce a cylindrical mold of the desired diameter.

At its supported end the mandrel is enlarged as shown at 89 to form the enlarged end of the mold where the bell of the pipe is to be cast and the mandrel also has a stop plate 8% in the form of a radial flange whose diameter is somewhat greater than the internal diameter of the flask 20 at its right hand end viewing the solid line showing of Figure 1. The stop plate 89a is faced at its left hand face viewing Figure 1 with bearing material and when the mandrel is in operative position Within the flask and mold the stop plate bears against the end of the flask. The mandrel has an enlargement I95 which forms acorresponding recess in the mold to form the spigot end of the cast pipe section. After the mandrel has been withdrawn from the mold a core is inserted, the core being shown in Figure 5 and designated 95. The core is fitted into the mold at the complementary conical surfaces 9! of the core and mold, the forward portion 552 of the core being shaped to cooperate with the mold and spaced from the mold so that when the Ina-- terial being cast is introduced it will flow into the cavity 93 between the mold and the core to form the bell of the pipe.

Thereis provided a slide 94 operable in a slot 95 in the support I9 and which is movable to three positions to perform three difierent functions. The slide has an imperforate portion adapted to entirely close the end of the flask, a core holdingportion shown in cross section in Figure 6 adapted to hold the core in place while permitting venting: thereof and another portion having a large opening substantially greater than the diameter of the plate 89a. When the flask is to be filled with mold forming material the imperforate portion of the slide 94 is positioned over the end of the flask. When the core is to be held in place the core holding portion is positioned over the endof the flask. The core holding portion has a central venting opening 95 permitting venting of'the core. When the devices 59 and 6B are in operation and when the cast pipe is to be removed from the flask and the used mold forming material is to be expelled the slide 94 is moved to'its' third'pcsition which leaves the end of the flask open and unobstructed.

Means arelprovided for maintaining the slide 94 in each of its three positions. The slide has in its upper edge three similar drilled openings 9'! respectively cooperable with a latch pin 98 to hold the slide in its respective positions. The frame has an extension 99 having an opening I00. for guiding the pin 98. Connected with the extension is a bracket lill having an opening Hi2 through which the pin 98 passes, the head m3 of the pin normally resting on top of the bracket lfll. A collar I64 is fixedto the pin 98 and a compression coil spring N25 is interposed between the bracket It! and the collar I64. Thus the spring urges the pin downwardly, but the pin may be drawn upwardly against the action of the spring to remove it from each of the openings 91 in the slide 94. When it is desired to move the slide 94 from one position to another the pin 98 is raised out of the opening 9! in which it has been positioned, the slide is moved to its new position and the pin is allowed to enter the opening 91 positioning the slide in its new position, the pin being maintained in operative position by the spring I05. 7

I shall now describe a complete cycle according to my invention and illustrate the operation of the apparatus. The flask 20 being entirely empty, the slide 94 is moved to the position in which its imperforate portion closes the end of the flask. The flask is disposed in its vertical position as shown in chain lines in Figure 1. The receptacle 38 with a measured amount of mold forming material therein (preferably an amount sufficient to flll the'flask) which has been received'from the bin 39 through the opening 40 is positioned above the flask in the position shown in Figure 1, and the mold forming material is discharged from the receptacle 38 into the flask, this being accomplished by raising the clam shell closure means 44. Rotation of the flask is commenced either before or during or immediately followingfthe delivery of the mold forming ma terial thereinto. While the flask continues to rotate it is turned from its vertical position as s'hown in chain lines in Figure 1 to its horizontal position as shown in solid lines in Figure 1. Whilerotation of the flask continues the slide 94 is moved to the position in which the end of the flask is rendered completely open. The carrier 52 is then moved to position the tube 6| axially of the flask and with the conveyor 62 operatingthe carriage 4'! is advanced toward the left, viewing Figures 1 and 2, to move the tube 6| with the conveyor 6-23 turning therewithin into the flasktorremovea portionrof the. mold" forming materialin the flask and provide an opening in the. flask: After the mold forming material.

has been compacted and shaped the mandrel. is returned: to. its coaxialflposition relatively to the flask, when it is withdrawn. Thereupon the core 90 is insertedand-the slide94 is-moved to its core holding position as 'shownat Figure 6. The slide 1! is drawn downwardly, viewing'Figure 2, to position the guide. 12. out ofthe. way, and molten metal is introduced" into the rotating mold {through a pouring spout indicated in Figure-ljinchainlines.atJ3ato casta length of pipe. A cast lengthiof. pipeisshown at ID! in Figure 6.

After :thermolten.rnetal has solidified the flask is turned to its vertical position, the'piston in the cylinderz3'l-is'movedtov the righthand end of its stroke to position. thecylinder 42 coaxially with the flask, and.the pistonin the cylinder 42 is moved. downwardly. to.strip.the cast pipe from the mold and eject-the usedmoldforming material to clean out the flask for the succeeding When the cylinder 42 is disposed operation. above and in axial alignmentwith the vertically positioned flask the receptacle 38 is positioned beneath the opening 40 of the bin 39, whereby to uncover that opening and allow mold forming material to be delivered by gravity into the receptacle 38. When the receptacle 38 is next moved to the left, viewing Figure 1, into position to deliver the mold forming material into the flask the plate 4| closes the opening 40 and maintains that opening closed until the succeeding cycle of operations.

Figures '7 and 8 show a modified form of structure. In the modified structure the motor for rotating the flask is mounted on the flask support, eliminating the bevel gear drive of the structure of Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. In Figures 7 and 8 parts corresponding to parts shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, are designated by the same reference numerals but each having a prime afiixed. The base or frame 2 has parallel spaced upward projections 3 carrying coaxial bearings 4 and 5'. Journaled in the bearings 4 and 5' is a trunnion shaft 6'. Keyed to the trunnion shaft 6 at approximately its midpoint is an arm 7 whose outer end is pivoted at 8 to a piston rod 9' connected with a piston in a cylinder It pivotally mounted at H in brackets I2. The piston in the cylinder I8 is operated by any suitable fluid under pressure. Movement of the piston in the cylinder swings the arm 1 about the axis of the trunnion shaft 6', and since the arm is keyed to the trunnion shaft this results in turning the trunnion shaft 6' in the bearings 4' and 5'.

Keyed to the trunnion shaft 6', one between the bearing 4 and the arm I and the other between the bearing 5 and the arm 1, are legs l8 of a support I 9' in which is rotatably mountedsaflask 28'. Operation of .thepiston in the cylinder [0 causesthe support l9 to turn between a' position in which theflask 20 is generallyhorizontal, as shown in solid lines in Figure 7, and a position in which the'flask is-generally vertical, as shown in dash lines. inFigure 7. When the support I9 is in the solid line position its left hand end seats upon a portion of the frime '2. When the support-is in thedash lirKa-positionits-lower end seats upon abase 2|.

Mounted on the-support I9 is a' bracket I08 carrying; an electric'vmotor. [1' whose shaft I4 is parallel to the axis of the-flask 2b. Keyed to the motor shaftie" is a-pulley 26. Mounted upon the flask 20 is-a pulley '27 which is coplanar with the pulley 2&3. V -belts 28' extend about the pulleys 26. and 2'! so that'when the motor 11 isin operation theflask 2B is rotated. Since the means for rotating the flask is mounted-on the support'which carriestheflask, the flask may be rotated atall times, whenit'is in the vertical position, when it is in; the horizontal position,

and when it islin any intermediate position, as "wellas'when-itis moving-about the axis of the trunnion shaft 6 from. one position to another.

The flaskZll is mounted for rotation in bearingsZB? in the support 19 and has radialfins 30' for thedissipation of heat. The iflask may to all intents and purposes'be the same as the flask 29 of theform of structure shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive.

The: frame-2 has; a generally horizontal extensionQ-E whichcarries a guideway 46 which is -para-llel withtheaxissof the flask 20' when the flask. is. in its generally: horizontal. position as shownindsolid lines in'Figure '7. Mounted. for travel along-the guideway; 45 is a carriage which may; to a-ll-.intents and purposes be the same as "the carriage 4'1, and-:thecarriage may carry a carrier and associated mechanism which 'may, to.

all intents and purposes be the same as the carrier 52 and associated mechanism.

Mounted for rectilinear movement upon the frame 2' is a slide H carrying an upstanding guide l2 having therein a guide opening 13. The slide H is maintained in position and guided for movement transversely of the frame by guides I09. The slide H is connected through a downward projection Ill] with a piston rod connected with a piston in a cylinder 16 mounted in the frame. The opening '53 is adapted to be aligned with a mandrel and functions in the same manner as the opening 13 of Figures 1 and 2.

The remainder of the operating mechanism may be similar to that of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, elements 18 to 84', inclusive, being analogous to elements 18 to 84, inclusive, of the first described structure. In Figures '7 and 8 portions of the operating mechanism are omitted to aid in clarity of disclosure of the portions shown.

The flask support is provided with a slot in which a slide similar to the slide 94 may be operated. The slide may be maintained in its various positions by a latch pin I03.

The general operation of the structure of Figures 7 and 8 is the same as that of the structure of Figures 1 to 6, inclusive.

While I have illustrated and described certain present preferred methods of practicing the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

elongated flask in generally upright position,

while the flask is so disposed introducing mold forming material thereinto through the upper end thereof, compacting the mold forming material within the flask to form a hollow mold, disposing the flask in generally horizontal position, rotating the flaskfii'fitrqducing molten material into the mold in the rotating flask to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article, disposing the flask with the article therein in generally upright position with the end uppermost which was uppermost when the mold forming material was introduced thereinto and with the flask so disposed discharging the article from the flask through the lower end thereof, all the foregoing operations being performed at a single station.

2. A foundry process comprising disposing an elongated flask in generally upright position, while the flask is so disposed introducing mold forming material thereinto through the upper end thereof, compacting the mold forming material within the flask to form a hollow mold, disposing the flask in generally horizontal position, rotating the flask, introducing molten material into the mold in the rotating flask to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article, disposing the flask with the article therein in generally upright position with the end uppermost which was uppermost when the mold forming material the upper end thereof for the formation of another mold, all the foregoing operations being performed at a single station.

3. A'foundry process comprising disposing an elongated flask in generally upright position, while the flask is so disposed introducing mold forming material thereinto through the upper end thereof, while the flask is so disposed commencing rotation of the flask, while rotating the flask turning the flask from generally upright position to generally horizontal position, compacting the mold forming material within the flask to form a hollow mold, while rotating the flask introducing molten material into the mold to form by centrifugal casting a hollow article, disposing the flask with the article therein in generally upright position with the end uppermost which was uppermost when'the mold forming material was introduced thereinto and with the flask so disposed discharging the article from the flask through the lower end thereof, all the foregoing operations being performed at a single 1 station.

LOYAL L. JOHNSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,624,354 .Moore Apr. 12, 1927 1,745,424 Hulme Feb. 4, 1930 1,756,812 Camerota Apr. 29, 1930 1,758,883 Camerota May 13, 1930 1,810,183 Mathieu June 16, 1931 1,830,427 Devillers Nov. 3, 1931 1,960,366 Barr et a1. May 29, 1934 2,340,262 Crawford Jan. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 688,270 France May 12, 1930 

1. A FOUNDRY PROCESS COMPRISING DISPOSING AN ELONGATED FLASK IN GENERALLY UPRIGHT POSITION, WHILE THE FLASK IS SO DISPOSED INTRODUCING MOLD FORMING MATERIAL THEREINTO THROUGH THE UPPER END THEREOF, COMPACTING THE MOLD FORMING MATERIAL WITHIN THE FLASK TO FORM A HOLLOW MOLD, DISPOSING THE FLASK IN GENERALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION, ROTATING THE FLASK, INTRODUCING MOLTEN MATERIAL INTO THE MOLD IN THE ROTATION FLASK TO FORM BY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING A HOLLOW ARTICLE, DISPOSING THE FLASK WITH THE ARTICLE THEREIN IN GENERALLY 